Holiday overview

We'll visit wetlands, woodlands, crags and coast looking for birds, butterflies and flowers. We hope to see nesting osprey and sandwich terns and hear the songs of warblers and cuckoos. Walk through woodlands and bluebells and wood anemone and look out for species such as early purple orchid and sea thrift as well as butterflies such as green hairstreak and orange-tip. We'll walk up to 6 miles (9.5km) each day. Suitable for any level of experience, with no prior knowledge required.

Holiday highlights:

Leisurely walks with regular stops to watch wildlife

Our expert leader will guide you around the best sites

Share enthusiasm and improve your wildlife ID skills

Flexible itineraries will take into account prevailing weather conditions and any reported sightings

Great reasons to join us:

Great value: all prices include Full Board en-suite accommodation, guidance from our expert leader, transport and any entrance fees

Accommodation: enjoy high quality accommodation and excellent food at our Country Houses

Expert leaders: all our leaders are expert in their field and will ensure that you get the most from your holiday

Sociability: spend time with like-minded people in a relaxed and friendly environment

In pictures...

Accommodation

As a historic National Trust property, Monk Coniston is full of romantic, gothic-style charm. With a most attractive Lake District setting, it is well suited to a relaxing holiday.

Bedrooms

Monk Coniston has 33 bedrooms. Some are located in the main house, with others in the adjoining cottage and counting house.

Our classic rooms offer comfortable accommodation and an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower. They also have TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for an extra £8 per night.

You can enjoy extra space or exceptional views plus additional facilities including a towelling robe and complimentary slippers when you upgrade to a premium room. Premium rooms are available at just £5 extra per person per night.

If you are travelling with your family, we have a selection of 3 and 4-bedded family rooms. These have all the facilities of our classic rooms plus full sized twin or double beds for adults and bunk beds or occasional beds for children.

A limited number of value twin rooms are available at a discount of £8 per person per night and value single rooms with a £5 per night discount. Our value rooms have the same facilities as our classic rooms, but bathroom facilities are nearby rather than en-suite.

All our Country Houses are tailored to the needs of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts and have excellent boot and drying rooms.

Monk Coniston has a comfortable lounge, an attractive dining room with lake views, and a bar and library. There is also a selection of board games and books. Free Wifi is available in some public rooms. Our traditional Lakeland barn can be used for dancing, or as a games room with table tennis and Nintendo Wii.

Monk Coniston is surrounded by a large garden with views down to the lake. Outside there is a putting green and croquet lawn. The National Trust maintains a collection of rare trees in the grounds.

The relaxed dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses. With tables seating up to 10 and no seating plan, it offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow guests. There is always a choice of dishes for every course, featuring good British cooking and often local specialities. A vegetarian option is always available.

All our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

Guided Walking: enjoy a glass of wine or local beer in the bar before a talk about the next day's walks. After dinner there will be an activity or entertainment which you will be welcome to join. These vary from week to week but could include a talk from a member of the local mountain rescue team or a team quiz. Alternatively if you prefer, feel free to just relax in our lounge or bar.

Leisure Activities: many of our Leisure Activities holidays continue into the evening with programmed sessions. Other holidays will have the evenings free, and you will be welcome to join in other social activities that may be happening in the house.

Family holidays: our activity leaders are on hand to organise children’s activities and games for younger children before dinner. These could include rounders, outdoor games, or crafts. After dinner there are further activities for the whole family.

Self-Guided Walking: there may be evening social activities happening in the house during your holiday, and you will be most welcome to join in. However, not all self-guided holidays will have evening activities available – if these are important to you, please check before booking.

Due to the age and the layout of Monk Coniston, it is not recommended for wheelchair users and guests with restricted mobility. There are ground floor en-suite bedrooms in the Counting House, but this building is access via steps.

Arrival & car parking facilities

On arrival there is a gate, a cattle grid and a driveway leading towards the house.

It is possible to load and unload cars directly at the front door.

The surface of the car park is tarmac and slightly sloping

Assistance can be provided with luggage

Main entrance & reception

The main entrance has no steps and is 110cm wide

The reception area is a spacious 4m x 4.1m

All public rooms are available without encountering any further steps, with the exception of the games room

The floors on the ground floor are mainly carpeted. The games room has wooden block flooring and the gents’ toilet has a tiled floor

Public areas - hall, stairs, landing, corridors etc

The width of the downstairs hallway is 222cm. Leading off the main hallway are lounge, dining room, library, downstairs toilets and bar with access to the main staircase

Public areas - sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

In the main lounge there are various chairs, tables and settees. Seating for approximately 50 guests

Public WCs

There are both ladies and gents toilets on the ground floor, accessed without any steps

Ladies toilet is carpeted and the gents’ has a tiled floor

Further public bathrooms are available for those bedrooms that are not en-suite

Dining room & bar

The dining room is situated on the ground floor with level access

7 round tables, each seating maximum of 8 guests

Tables have an under space of 70cm high by 137cm wide

All meals served are with waitress service

The carpeted bar area has chairs and circular tables

Laundry & boot room

Laundry facilities are available in the boot room, which is located in a separate building with level access

Washing machine & dryer are available in the boot room free of charge

Ample drying space

Tiled flooring

Games room

Evening entertainment frequently held in games room (4 slate steps to access, each step is 22cm high, 22cm deep and 110cm wide)

The games room is 14m wide and 5.5m long

Bedrooms

None of the rooms has been specifically designed for wheelchair users

In the main house all bedrooms are on the 1st floor. The main staircase has 24 steps, each step is 16cm high, 30cm deep and 112cm wide

In the annexe, cottages and Counting House there are bedrooms both on the ground floor and on the 1st floor

The rooms best suited for anyone with restricted mobility would be 24 and 25, situated in the Counting House

Room 24 & 25:

Access is via 4 slate steps with hand rails

Each step is 7cm high, 30cm deep and 130cm wide

Twin rooms with en-suite (shower). Standard height beds

The floor is carpeted

En-suite bathroom with shower

Grounds and gardens

Large level garden around the house. Mainly with lawns and flower beds. Shrubbery and wooded areas

3 steps to access the main front lawn

Additional information

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued

Mobile phone reception is generally good from the main building

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times

Information can be provided in large print

Staff have received disability awareness training

Special diets can be catered for. Specialist food can be obtained with prior notice

Fridge for medication can be supplied

Itinerary

Monday: Arrival day

You can check in to your room from 2.30pm onwards. Please join us for afternoon tea at 4pm. All guests are invited – we’ll introduce your leader and welcome you to your holiday.

Tuesday: RSPB Hodbarrow & Eskmeals Dunes

We start our week visiting the southwest coast of Cumbria taking in RSPB Hodbarrow where we'll take a waterside walk around Cumbria's largest coastal lagoon on the lookout for nesting Sandwich and Common terns as well as recently returned migrants such as Wheatear and Sedge Warbler. In the afternoon we'll continue to Eskmeals Dunes, with flowers on the dune grassland, insects and butterflies attracted to the saltmarsh and waders feeding on the estuary, we hope to see a good selection of species.

Wednesday: Woodlands, Spring Flowers and Osprey

In the morning we'll walk round Brown Robin, a typical limestone woodland with magnificent displays of spring flowers such as Bluebell and Primrose with great views over the Kent Estuary. We'll then move on to Foulshaw Moss where we will be on the lookout for Green hairstreak butterflies, Tree pipits and Stonechats displaying over the bog, and the Osprey returned from Africa.

Thursday: South Walney & Foulney Island

Back on the coast today, South Walney is home to the only Grey seal colony in Cumbria. We will also look for returned migrants such as Willowwarbler and follow the gulls around the bay. Foulney Island is formed entirely of pebbles and spring is an exciting time with courting Eider ducks and three species of terns starting to arrive back - Artic, Common and Little tern all breed here.

Friday: Whitbarrow National Nature Reserve

We will visit two sections of this large reserve today which give us stunning views of the Cumbrian fells and Morecambe Bay. Rich in wildflowers and butterflies, the spring highlights include Early purple orchid, Hoary rock rose, Blue moorgrass, Brimstone and Pearl bordered fritillary.

Saturday: depart after a leisurely breakfast.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Local area

Discover the Lake District

Monk Coniston is an imposing Gothic property leased from the National Trust and set in 8 acres of grounds, including a restored walled garden and the impressive arboretum. Some particularly impressive specimens, including a giant sequoia (the largest tree in the world) and the wollemi pine can be explored on the Monk Coniston Tree Trail.

Views from the property offer breathtaking glimpses of Coniston Water and the surrounding mountains.

Coniston village is about one mile away – there is a direct path from the house to the village. Here you’ll find a small supermarket, post office, newsagent, pubs and a Barclays Bank (open 3 times a week). A wider range of facilities is available in Ambleside, the nearest town, about 8 miles away. The Ruskin Museum is also well worth a visit - find out more about the lake's connections to Donald Campbell and Arthur Ramsome. www.ruskinmuseum.com

During your visit to Monk Coniston you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest:

Steam Yacht Gondola

First cruising Coniston Water 150 years ago, the restored gondola is now operated by the National Trust, stopping at the Monk Coniston jetty at the bottom of the meadow below the house before gliding across the lake, calling at Coniston village and Brantwood House. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-yacht-gondola

Ravenglass & Eskdale RailwayRide ‘L’al Ratty’ a highly scenic narrow gauge railway which runs from the coast at Ravenglass along beautiful Eskdale. You could combine a visit with a walk over Muncaster Fell, or to Stanley Gill waterfall. www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk

Brantwood House

Just a couple of miles from Monk Coniston, John Ruskin's former home commands superb views over the lake. www.brantwood.org.uk

Tarn Hows A short walk from the Country House, this man-made water was created by Monk Coniston’s resident owner, James Garth Marshall in 1865, as he continued to develop the estate and expand his pleasure grounds. He built a dam to flood the area, amalgamating several smaller tarns, before planting the shores and islands with new woodlands and specimen trees.

Grizedale ForestNearby Grizedale Forest is ideal for mountain biking and also has a popular sculpture trail. You can also experience the Go Ape! high-ropes course – a great option for active teenagers. www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedale

Levens HallVisit this stately home, famous for its magnificent formal garden and topiary displays. www.levenshall.co.uk

GrasmereGrasmere is about 30 minutes’ drive from Monk Coniston and is famous for its connections with William Wordsworth. The poet’s homes at Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount can be visited, the former of which includes the Wordsworth Museum. www.wordsworth.org.uk

Travel

Travel to Conistonwater

By train:

The nearest train station is at Windermere. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

By taxi:

The 13 mile journey from Windermere railway station takes approximately 30 minutes. Pre-booked taxis cost approx £27. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The taxi company will arrange shared taxis wherever possible. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Monk Coniston Manager.

By bus:

From Windermere station you can catch the 505 bus direct to Monk Coniston - the bus stop is right outside our Country House. Journey time is around 50 minutes. For bus times see www.traveline.info

By car:

From Ambleside take the A593 signposted to Coniston. Turn sharp left over a narrow bridge, then after half a mile turn left onto the B5286, signposted to Hawkshead. About 3 miles along this road, and just before Hawkshead, turn right onto the B5285, signposted to Coniston. Follow this road over Hawkshead Hill. The road descends then goes around a 180° bend to the left. The entrance to Monk Coniston is on the left about 100yds after the bend. There is car parking available within the grounds.

Leaders

Alison Fawcett

Growing up in a small village on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Alison has always had a passion for nature. Her first love was botany, but she was introduced to serious birdwatching 15 years ago. Now she enjoys getting out and about whenever she can, concentrating on her local area of north Cumbria/southern Scotland as well as being involved with the BTO Garden BirdWatch.